BEN FOSTER is "gutted" at the prospect of missing out on an FA Cup clash with Manchester United - but insisted last night that he can still play in the final at the new Wembley.

Yesterday's semi-final draw set up a potential glamour climax to the domestic season by keeping apart Sir Alex Ferguson's men and Chelsea, even though both face testing replays.

But if the Premiership leaders overcome Middlesbrough next Monday, Watford keeper Foster (above) cannot play against them in the last four because he is on a season-long loan from Old Trafford.

Yet the England man, 23, is still backing the Hornets to cause an upset to allow him to appear in the May 19 showpiece before returning to United in the summer when he is set to sign a new deal.

Foster, the hero of Watford's 1-0 quarter-final win at Plymouth, said: "There was always a chance this could happen and I would be gutted if it did and we end up playing United in the semi-final. But I can only get on with it.

"The Watford lads will not fear anything and if I make it through to Wembley it will be down to them.

"I've got mixed emotions. Don't ask me how I'll feel if we get them after the replay, it's bad enough knowing I might miss out in these circumstances."

Jonathan Woodgate has warned United that Middlesbrough will travel to Old Trafford full of confidence after Saturday's 2-2 draw on Teesside.

The England defender said: "There is no reason why we cannot go down to Manchester and get a victory. We have been there before and done it."

The semi-finals will be played at neutral venues the weekend of April 14-15.